Lancaster update: A look at the standouts not named Carlos Correa

Rio Ruiz, a 4th round draft pick of the Astros in 2012, has been battling back issues in the minors.(Larry Goren/Four Seam Images via AP Images)

A quick look at how some of the Astros prospects (not named Carlos Correa) are faring at Class A Lancaster. For a look at the latest on Correa, who is making the ‘amazing seem routine.’ Check out this report from Lancaster.

Tony Kemp, 2B
His .363 average and .448 on-base percentage led the California League entering Monday. A fifth-round pick out of Vanderbilt least year, Kemp is short at 5-6, but the Astros clearly don’t have a problem with short second baseman.

Lance McCullers, RHP
The 20-year-old righty still has a devastating curveball and a fastball that’s not only mid-90s, but also deceptive. Manager Rodney Linares said McCuller’s fastball command, though, is the pressing matter, and McCullers knows that. “Some games I’ve really had it,” said McCullers, who’s averaging nearly five walks per nine innings. “Other games I’ve lost it and it’s hurt me pretty bad. It’s a process. It’s a mechanical thing and it’s a mindset thing.”

Josh Hader, LHP
A part of the Bud Norris trade last summer, the 20-year-old lefty has plenty of filling out to do. With a 2.53 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 innings, he’s drawn a lot of buzz this season and was the motivating part of a combined no-hitter a week ago Tuesday, throwing six innings. Hader’s added velocity since he was drafted by the Orioles in the 19th round in 2012, and he has a naturally deceptive delivery.

Rio Ruiz, 3B
Ruiz, who’s been battling a back injury, has very good numbers: a .294 average and .373 OBP with three home runs, but the 2012 fourth rounder has some strides to make, both in his conditioning and on defense, particularly in moving his feet more. Ruiz turns 20 on Thursday, and his back has been bothering him.

Teoscar Hernandez, CF
The 21-year-old with a .919 OPS and six home runs should see Corpus this season too.

Roberto Pena, C
A 21-year-old from Puerto Rico, Pena might not ever be an above-average hitter, but in a system that already has many strong catchers, he draws high marks for not only his throwing, but game-calling.

Mark Appel, RHP
The top pick in the 2013 draft, started the year at Lancaster but just was not ready without a proper spring training and battled soreness. In his final start, he almost looked as though he was afraid he would get hurt, and was sent to the team’s facility in Florida, where he remains.

Vincent Velasquez, RHP
A 21-year-old righty, was the team’s second round pick in 2010. He’s been slowed by injuries before, and were it not for a groin strain that will likely have him down for some time, he could have soon been on the way to Corpus himself. Velasquez, who has a 2.89 ERA, 33 strikeouts and nine walks in 28 innings, is also in Florida rehabbing. He suffered the injury not on the mound, but during a workout, and it’s not the kind of injury that takes just a week or two.